Is Miso Soup Healthy for You?

by Tracey Roizman, D.C.

Miso soup is healthy and delicious.

Miso soup, a fermented soy food, has been part of Chinese cuisine since 800 B.C. To make miso, cooked soybeans are combined with grains that have been innoculated with beneficial bacteria. The resulting product is flavorful and versatile and offers a variety of purported health benefits, some of which have been substantiated by scientific research.

Detoxification

Miso soup may help detoxify your body by binding heavy metals so they can be eliminated. A compound known as dipilocolonic acid attaches to radioactive strontium, helping to rid the body of harmful radiation. Patients undergoing radiation therapy for certain thyroid disorders are advised not to consume miso during treatment because it prevents absorption of the radioactive substance used in the treatment. During the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, European countries imported large quantities of miso from Japan to protect against radiation-related diseases, according to John Belleme, author of "The Miso Book: The Art of Cooking With Miso." Before and during the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, clinic workers ate miso soup regularly, which may have helped them avoid severe symptoms of radiation, according to nutritionist Sara Shannon, author of the book "Radiation Protective Foods: A Menu for the Nuclear Age."

Diabetes

Miso may help protect against type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the January 2010 issue of the journal "Nutrition Research." In the review of previously published studies, researchers found that consumption of fermented soy foods, as opposed to unfermented soy foods, is associated with improved insulin resistance and insulin secretion and may help prevent or slow the progression of type 2 diabetes. Researchers noted that fermented soy products may contribute to lower rates of type 2 diabetes among Asian people.

Nutrients

Miso provides as much protein and carbohydrate in three tablespoons as a half-cup serving of kidney beans. A serving of 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces, contains 57 grams of calcium, 48 milligrams of magnesium, 87 international units of vitamin A and 210 milligrams of potassium. The same size serving also provides 2.56 milligrams of zinc and 5.4 grams of fiber. However, miso is a high-sodium food, with 3,728 milligrams per 100 grams. If you have high blood pressure, use miso sparingly and consult your doctor for guidance in determining how much miso is safe for your diet.

Antioxidants

Flavonoid compounds in miso, known as isoflavones, exert estrogen-like effects that may reduce your risk for breast or prostate cancer, lower cholesterol levels and help protect against osteoporosis, according to the Iowa State University Soybean Extension and Research Program. Miso soup contains 30 to 60 milligrams of isoflavones in a half-cup serving. A study published in the 2012 issue of the "Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention" found that soy consumption is closely associated with reduced risk of death from breast cancer in China.

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About the Author

Tracey Roizman has been a writer and speaker on natural and preventive health care since 1995. She holds a B.S. in nutritional biochemistry and a doctor of chiropractic degree, and is a postgraduate diplomate in chiropractic functional neurology.

Photo Credits

woman eating miso or chinese soup from spoon image by rudybaby from Fotolia.com

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